VU&N Boxset reviews

[iaredatsun]

Hey bro, is that compression or is it remastering? I am dying to hear how much improved this is over the Deluxe Edition from a few years ago.

MJG, I'm not talking about an increase in overall loudness, but a greater clarity, definition and openness. It's like those old cliches that spring to mind when you hear a good remaster (or an original LP) and the bass feels deeper, more fluid, more rhythmic, the piano is suddenly more realistic, the guitars have a more detailed texture, etc . For example, I just heard Heroin again and the viola sounds so nuanced and exquisite that it gave me goose-bumps like it used to when i first heard it. My instinct says it's not compression or my imagination. I love it, but let's see what others say!

[leamanc]

MJG, I'm not talking about an increase in overall loudness, but a greater clarity, definition and openness. It's like those old cliches that spring to mind when you hear a good remaster (or an original LP) and the bass feels deeper, more fluid, more rhythmic, the piano is suddenly more realistic, the guitars have a more detailed texture, etc . For example, I just heard Heroin again and the viola sounds so nuanced and exquisite that it gave me goose-bumps like it used to when i first heard it. My instinct says it's not compression or my imagination. I love it, but let's see what others say!

Thanks for that, iaredatsun. That's what I've been hearing too, but I've been waiting for someone else here to back me up -- just to make sure I've not been letting my excitement about this project influence my ears.

It really does sound fantastic throughout. The viola on "Heroin" you mention is a great example. The first time I heard this new master (especially on the mono disc), I realized for the first time in a long, long time just what a firestorm of unholy noise Cale's viola work on this song is. And just how freaky this had to sound to 98% of the people who heard it back in '67.

[iaredatsun]

That's what I've been hearing too

leamanc. So, that's two of us!

But I'm aware that other people may not have the same experience. If any regulars on the forum want to hear what I'm hearing then I warmly invite them to come round my place in London and listen to it on my system.

[dial4]

My main complaint is about the track listing, the Chelsea Girl L.P. has little if nothing to do with the 1st V.U. offer, except some band members on some tracks. A lot of the discs have some blank space available, so they could've remastered the totality of the Warhol Museum C.D. to fill all. At last for this price a DVD could have been made with some complete footage.
The only good surprise is the live show, complete at last, and I think has the better sound possible (it remains lo-fi of course).

[Sunshine]

Don't forget. They're all businessmen. And what businessmen are doing, is not always what fans want them to do. And everyone can think themself what the reason is ..... ......

[dial4]

If you're right, I hope the 2016 version 'll be incredible.

[iaredatsun]

Can't believe it. Working at home and the doorbell just rang. A biker holding a copy of the boxset was standing there. How lucky I am ? it's like Christmas has come early.

I'm making animations of two Tudor period cannons firing but it's going to be a bit hard to concentrate now!

[MJG196]

My main complaint is about the track listing, the Chelsea Girl L.P. has little if nothing to do with the 1st V.U. offer, except some band members on some tracks.

Well, either Reed, Sterl, or Cale wrote 5 of the 10 songs on it, Lou plays on 4, Cale plays on 3, and Sterl plays on 2. I'd say that Chelsea Girl was a natural extension of the band's Pop sensibilities, as evidenced on Sunday Morning, Femme Fatale, etc. In the context of the VU&N I think it fits perfectly.

[Chris M]

The only good surprise is the live show, complete at last, and I think has the better sound possible (it remains lo-fi of course).

I'd say the discovery of multi-tracks from the Scepter sessions is a rather good surprise! The Scepter acetate tracks "from tape" on Disc 4 were remixed from a recently discovered multi-track. Per the liners, there were two multi-track reels from the Scepter sessions. They found one reel which is why half of the tracks are sourced from acetate. Even better, the Disc 1 bonus tracks versions of Heroin, European Son, All Tomorrow's Parties (instrumental) and I'll Be Your Mirror are *stereo* remixes from the Scepter multi-track. Tasteful, dry, 60's style remixes. A vault find for the ages. I can't help but wonder if they found anything from the WL/WH sessions

[dial4]

OK I didn't notice they discover only 1 multitrack reel. For Chelsea Girl, everyone interested has it, no bonus track, considering the price (more than 11 ? for each CD with inferior packaging), I'm a -very- little unsatisfied. Also no DVD, and uncomplete Warhol Museum CD. It could've been better, with some Chelsea Girl outtakes, something UNHEARD.
For WLWH expect of course the Gymnasium concert.